Does Olive Oil Kill Nits?

November 21, 2018

By Lapina at Shutterstock

There are products most of us have in the kitchen, which typically include olive oil. When it comes to cooking family dinners, olive oil is a staple. In your hair, to treat head lice? Well, there are some questions as to whether or not olive oil is the right tool for the job. If you look online, you’ll notice many blogs touting the effectiveness of olive oil in treating head lice. Are these blogs full of it? Perhaps some are. However, olive oil has been known to treat mild head lice cases – perhaps not full-blown infestations. The most effective solution will always be professional lice treatment.

Does Olive Oil Kills Nits?

Nits, as you may know, are the eggs of the lice world. Before becoming a nymph, all lice begin their journey as a nit attached to a hair follicle. It is here where the problem lies, unfortunately. You see, a nit has a hardened shell. Even chemicals and non-toxic treatments cannot penetrate the shell. Olive oil certainly will not either.

Once the bug is born – released from its tough exterior shell – it is susceptible to an olive oil treatment – but only then. Without the protection of the shell, the nymph may suffocate from olive oil.

As we mentioned, even chemicals and non-toxic treatments have a tough time breaking through that exterior shell. This is why we always recommend a follow-up treatment at home to kill any newborn nymphs.

So, the bottom line is, olive oil can help with some minor issues, but you need professional help for large infestations. Because of this, professional lice treatment is the only method to truly satisfy the issue.

Applying Olive Oil

If you are dead-set on using olive oil as a lice treatment solution – at least as part one – then here are a few steps to consider:

Purchase – First, you need to buy the right type of olive oil. Whether you select Extra Virgin or pure olive oil, it does not matter. What does matter, however, is the overall quality. The better the quality, the better the treatment.

Coating – Step two is coating the hair in the olive oil. Place something over the head to ensure air does not enter, then pour olive oil over the scalp. You want to coat as much of the hair as possible.

Shampoo – Next, about eight hours after the olive oil soak, rinse the hair with regular shampoo. Be sure to rinse really well.

Combing – Lastly, comb through the hair to remove as many head lice and dead lice as possible. Combing is crucial, so be sure to use a micro-tooth comb to really nab those nits.

If you prefer the tried-and-tested methods of professional head lice treatment, consider Lice Lifters for top-rated, all-natural solutions. Give us a call at 972-805-1308 today!